Page 6 of Lady Luck’s Kiss

JACK

JACK

Lady Luck had left him - in more ways than one, Jack thought morosely as he tried to stop the ringing in his ears from being shaken so hard.

Sitting on the metal bench, he held his head in his hands and pictured that wicked, red smile that enchanted him. The woman named Charlie that had caught his eye was no longer in the seats. In fact, there were two seats empty where she had once been standing.

He had been certain tonight that he’d end up on a stretcher or in the hospital when they told him he was riding Vamp.

That bull had gored and stepped on more men than he had ever seen.

It was a vicious, scared creature and really needed to be put out to breed instead of competing.

He thought that another cowboy, Scott McDaniels, had been killed two weeks ago when he took a direct kick to the ribs from Vamp.

Jack’s whole body ached from trying to hang on and he was pretty sure that he’d split his palm under his glove and dreaded removing it.

… Even his teeth were rattled at this point.

Jack had fully intended to go back to where Charlie had sat to see if he could get her phone number.

He’d never been one to pick up women at a rodeo, yet he had seen several other cowboys do so.

Taking a page from their books, he had used a pickup line in order to even get close to the goddess he had seen from the ground.

The woman was stunning in a simple way.

He had spotted her out of the crowd instantly when he had gone through the entrance.

No elaborate makeup, no fancy dress. Just simple and feminine to the core.

The way she smiled and looked at him was utterly charming.

That red lipstick she wore complemented her skin tone so well, he didn’t even realize it was on her until she kissed his hand.

She actually kissed his hand!

Talk about role reversal…?

That surprised him and inspired him to have her give him another kiss. Even if it turned out to be a very modest one. That good luck peck on the cheek had worked wonders and felt the same way. When her lips pressed on his face, he felt a surge of happiness that he didn’t expect.

Grinning, he thought about how stupid the other guys would say that was. Stupid and poetic like some lovesick fool. Stretching his legs, he tried to work the muscles that were clenching in his body and glad he was considering hanging up his spurs. Tonight’s events would hurt and be felt tomorrow.

After the rodeo, usually the guys would take off and have fun down at the local bar. This arena, however, sported a large barn-like building that was dedicated to catering events and such. So, this evening’s escapade would be held in the dance hall instead of a drunken watering hole.

Most times, Jack avoided going out with the younger guys, instead opting for relieving some of the aches and pains he was susceptible to. Tonight, he considered heading home but part of him was curious if the enchanting and mysterious Charlie would be there.

Crossing the field, he could hear the music from outside the dance hall and see that the entertainment was in full swing.

Entering the room, he shook several hands that were extended towards him and moved through the crowd, searching for her, the woman that had preoccupied his mind all evening long.

Couples swung around the wooden plank floor to the music and some gathered around a few barrels that were set off to the side to serve as tables. It wasn’t as rustic as it appeared. The barrels had glass tops, and everything was polished until it shined.

Making his way through the crowd, he glided around hoping to catch a glimpse of her plaited hair.

He thought, for one moment, he had spotted her in the throng of people but, thankfully, the woman turned just before he tapped on her shoulder revealing that it was someone else.

Grabbing a beer from the bar, he turned around and stood there eyeing the room and feeling like the greatest optimistic fool ever.

… Until he saw her.

The braids were gone and in their place was a cascading length of hair down past her shoulders.

Each wavy lock looked to be sun-kissed by the dim lighting provided by the wagon wheel chandelier above her.

He knew it was her by the way she turned just barely, and he saw the outline of her face and… those lips.

People would die for those lips. Caesar knew it the moment he laid eyes on Cleopatra. Cities fell for Helen of Troy. Songs were written for hundreds of women over the years that had captured a man’s fascination with one simple thing that was cataclysmic… and for him? It was those red lips.

Jack swallowed.